San Juan Islands Transportation

San Juan Islands Transportation. Get to the San Juan Islands by water or air. Here are all the options for travel to, and through, the islands.

Arrive by Washington State Ferry

This Washington State Ferry is serving Shaw Island in the San Juans.This Washington State Ferry is approaching the Shaw Island dock.

The Washington State Ferry (WSF) system is probably the main mode of transportation to and between the islands. 

WSF Schedule: Select the Anacortes to San Juan Islands to Sydney BC route to see current schedule.

WSF Reserve your space on a ferry online:  Select the San Juan Islands route, and follow the prompts. This is most important if you plan to drive your car onto the ferry.

  • The WSF system offers car and passenger service to four islands: San Juan Island, Lopez Island, Orcas Island, and Shaw Island. 

  • No reservations are needed if you intend to walk onto the ferry, even during the busiest season.

  • But if you plan to take your auto to the San Juan Islands in Washington, be prepared for long waits on weekends, especially during summer months. Avoid the wait by making a reservation for a specific ferry ahead of time.

  • All fares are round-trip, paid on the west-bound leg of the sail. For example, the cost to travel from Anacortes to Friday Harbor is about US$100; the return trip is "free."

We love the organic, country-living, locavore nature of the San Juan Islands, and perhaps you will too. The Washington State Ferry terminal at Anacortes WA is just 85.8 miles (138 km) from Port Angeles, making this very scenic side-trip to the San Juans a very doable option.

The journey from Port Angeles to Anacortes by auto will take less than 3 hours, including a ferry ride from Port Townsend to Coupeville on Whidbey Island. 

San Juan Islands Transportation:
To WA State Ferry Terminal at Anacortes by Bus

Anacortes is the main port for ferries heading to the San Juan Islands. There are several ways to get there from the Seattle area.

Bellair Charter & Airporter provides multiple bus shuttles per day from Sea-Tac Airport, downtown Seattle, and Burlington (one-stop bus transfer) to the Anacortes ferry terminal; the cost includes ferry fares. Pets are welcome for a small fee.

Passenger-Only Ferry Services

The following companies provide passenger-only ferry service on a seasonal basis:

  • San Juan Clipper:
    Mid-June through early October - Passenger/cyclist ferry direct to Friday Harbor from Seattle's Pier 69. See website for fares and nearby parking options. If you like, you can also add a whale-watching option to the sail.

    Website: https://www.clippervacations.com/seattle-san-juan-island-ferry/
    Seattle Ferry Terminal:     2701 Alaskan Way, Pier 69, Seattle, WA 98121.
    Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal: Spring Street Pier, 81 Front Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
    Phone:     1-206-448-5000

  • Puget Sound Express:
    Offers passenger only ferry service between Port Townsend and Friday Harbor from May through September. Bring your bicycle for an additional small fee. Full details are on their website.
    --Book one-way passage from Port Townsend OR Friday Harbor (San Juan Island)
    --Add a full-day whale watching tour if it suits your schedule. Tours leave from and return to Port Townsend with a stop in Friday Harbor.
    --Book both ferry service and whale-watching tours online or by phone.

    Website: PugetSoundExpress.com/
    Port Townsend Terminal: 227 Jackson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
    Phone: 1-360-385-5288.
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PugetSoundExpress/

San Juan Islands Transportation: By Personal Vessel

Sail to the San Juan Islands on your personal vessel.

Arrive at any of 14 county docks and several marinas throughout the San Juan Islands. See https://www.visitsanjuans.com/transportation/all-san-juan-islands/marinas.

For our Canadian friends: Welcome! The Friday Harbor marina is a US Customs Port of Entry. They'll ask to see your travel documents.

San Juan Islands Transportation: By Airplane

Kenmore Air

Fly into Sea-Tac International Harbor and then connect to Kenmore Air via their free shuttle service. Or make your way to the nearest Kenmore Air terminal. Find all Kenmore Air staffed terminals here.

Kenmore Air provides multiple flights daily to Friday Harbor Airport, Friday Harbor Marina and Roche Harbor Marina. Flight times are 35-45 minutes. In-flight views are amazing! Kenmore Air also flies to Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island, and Deer Harbor, Eastsound/Orcas Island Airport, Rosario Resort, and West Sound on Orcas Island. Explore Route Maps here.

Kenmore Air Terminal desk at Sea-Tac International Airport near Baggage Claim.

Kenmore Air San Juan Islands Terminals:

Eastsound/Orcas Island Airport: 147 Schoen Lane, Eastsound, WA 98245

Friday Harbor Airport: 800 Franklin Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Customer Service: +1-866-435-9524, +1-425-486-1257

Sea-Tac Check-in Desk: Located in the Atrium area at Door 00 at the south end of the Baggage Claim level (pictured at right).

More about Kenmore Airlines here.

Sea plane servicing the San Juan Islands WA.Sea plane servicing the San Juan Islands.

More San Juan Islands Transportation Options by Air

The following airlines will not only transport you to the San Juan Islands, but many of them also offer scenic tours and charter flights in the islands and to other destinations in the Pacific Northwest. See their respective websites for schedules and details.

San Juan Airlines:
Daily scheduled Bellingham and inter-island flights, plus charter and scenic flights serving the San Juan Islands and several other destinations in the Pacific Northwest.
http://sanjuanairlines.com/. Reservations: 1-800-874-4434

Island Air:
On-demand charter flights throughout the PNW, including Canada. Also operates Air Ambulance service as necessary. 
Website: http://sji-islandair.com/
Address: 72 Airport Circle Drive, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: +1-360-378-2376
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm

Friday Harbor Seaplanes:
Daily scheduled and charter flights to the San Juans from South Lake Washington (Renton). Free shuttles provided between Sea-Tac International Airport to the seaplane. www.fridayharborseaplanes.com/.
Phone: +1-425-277-1590; Reservations: 1-800-690-0086

Point to Point Air:
On-demand charter service throughout the PNW, including the San Juan Islands.
Hangar Address: 17708 49th Dr. NE, Arlington, WA 98223 (Hangar B)
www.point2pointair.com/
Phone: +1-425-530-5518

Westwind Aviation:
Charter flights and scenic air tours
Address: 740 Airport Circle Drive, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.westwindav.com/
Phone: +1-360-378-6991; +1-360-317-5331

Fly into the San Juan Islands in your Private Plane

These are the primary airports in the San Juan Islands:

Friday Harbor Airport
Website: www.portfridayharbor.org/airport/
Address: 800 Franklin Rd, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA 98250
Phone: 1-360-378-4724. 
Friday Harbor Airport is a US Customs Port of Entry - Canadian visitors welcome (they'll want to see your travel documents)

Roche Harbor Airport
https://www.rocheharbor.com/getting-here/#fly
Address: 8484 Roche Harbor Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: 1-360-378-3500
Roche Harbor Airport is privately owned by Roche Harbor Resort. Several airlines regularly fly in, including Kenmore Air and San Juan Airlines.

Orcas Island Airport
Website: www.portoforcas.com/airlines/
Address: 147 Schoen Ln, Eastsound, WA 98245
Phone: +1-360-376-5285

Lopez Island Airport
Website: https://www.portoflopez.com/airport-2/
Address: 672 Airport Road, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Phone: +1-360-468-4116

San Juan Islands Transportation: Bus

San Juan Transit is located in Friday Harbor very near the ferry dock. The bus provides fixed route service between Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor as well as guided tours around San Juan Island.

They additionally serve Orcas Island, making scheduled scenic stops along the way. Check the website for details about service to Lopez Island. All details are on the website.

Website: http://www.sanjuantransit.com/schedules.html
Address: Cannery Landing by the Harbor, upstairs
Phone: +1-360-378-8887

  • All shuttles are dog and bike friendly
  • Single fare: $5; day passes are $15
  • Children 12 and under receive a discounted fare

San Juan Islands Transportation:
Car Rentals and More

Arrive on foot and then rent cars and RVs by the day, week, and month, with options for partial-day and evening rentals. Add a folding bike to your car rental for a fee.

M&W Auto Sales and Car Rentals

M&W Auto Sales and Car Rentals
Website: https://www.sanjuanauto.com/car-rental-friday-harbor-san-juan-island
Address: 725 Spring St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone: +1-360-378-2794

Pick up your car rental in:

  • Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor in San Juan Island
  • Orcas Island Ferry terminal or Orcas Island Airport
  • Lopez Island Village

Rent a Car, Moped, Electric Bike, 3-Wheel Coupe

Susie’s Mopeds
Website: http://www.susiesmopeds.com/
Address: 125 Nichols St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Friday Harbor Phone: +1-360-378-5244
Roche Harbor Phone: +1-360-378-6262
Tool Free Phone: +1-800-532-0087
Hours: 10am - 5pm

Rent Mopeds, Scoot Coupes, and Electric Bikes on San Juan Island.
Located less than 5 minutes on foot from the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal. Reservations highly recommended; ALL reservations made by phone.

San Juan Islands Transportation: Private Auto

Traveling the San Juans via ferry and your own private auto may be the most convenient option, depending on how long you plan to spend in the San Juans.

Nevertheless, the above San Juan Island transportation options may still offer exciting vacation or tour options, depending on your own interests.

Enjoy your visit to the San Juan Islands!

Have You Traveled Around the San Juan Islands?
Share Your Travel Stories and Photos Here!

Whether you're a local who has lived here for years, or you've come as a visitor to our area, we'd love to hear from you! Do you have a great story or an interesting experience while in the San Juans? What was your means of transportation? And what about reviews? Did you take any exceptional photos taken during your travels around the San Juan Islands? Please, share your stories and photos with us!

We're happy to ensure professional and amateur photographers get credit for their work. Leave us your name in the form below, and means of contact, website, or FB page info so we can link back to you.





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